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News > October 2008 > Beauties
in Our Midst
 Beauties
in Our Midst
by Lynn Cuny, Founder & Executive Director
Both spring and fall are times of butterfly
migration throughout the United States. Here in Texas we are
graced with many of these magnificent beings making their
way through our neighborhoods, cities and towns. One of the
more striking species, the Monarch Butterfly, is venturing
back to Mexico. As I write, they are on their way back to
the mountaintops of their ancestors, though these individual
butterflies have never been there before. Each butterfly is
born with the knowledge of not only how to survive, but how
high to fly, the route to take, and how to recognize the exact
spot that is their ultimate destination. How do they do it,
only they know. The butterfly is one of the more fragile-appearing
animals on the planet, yet in the case of the Monarch, they
can fly at heights of two miles; other species manage somehow
to traverse oceans on their migratory treks.
We must do what we can to protect these amazing
and complex creatures. During times of butterfly migration,
drive only when absolutely necessary and if you must drive,
do so slowly to mitigate the taking of so many lives. If you
have containers of water sitting about in your yard, be sure
to float thin twigs in each container so that butterflies
and others will have a means of escape. If we live more gently
on this earth, we will do less harm to those whose planet
we share.
 Another
beauty who is migrating in our area is the more commonly seen
skunk. Every fall for our entire 31 year history, WRR receives
dozens and dozens of calls reporting the active movement of
the native Striped Skunk. Fall is the time of year when this
native mammal is in search of food, shelter, and appropriate
winter dens. So do not be alarmed and do not live trap these
wild neighbors; their hyper-active period is short-lived and
they will return to their more reclusive way of life in a
matter of weeks. It is also important to note that this striking
black and white animal has an unwarranted bad reputation.
The poor, misunderstood skunk is maligned for her pungent
odor, but consider the fact that this small mammal has few
other means to employ when she needs to protect herself. The
noble skunk is also an ally when one does not want to enjoy
the company of mice, rats, and roaches.
The beautiful skunk, both striped and the
more uncommonly seen, spotted, are natural residents of urban,
suburban, and rural landscapes. We should be glad they live
in our midst.
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